One Down

Thank you all for your wonderful comments and emails yesterday. Writing here is such an outlet for me. There are so many times when I write about something tough, and I leave it all on the page. I feel a million times better when I’m done. Thank you all for indulging and encouraging me!

Annabel is doing much better. We’re still giving her gripe water, but we introduced mylicon yesterday and that made a big difference. Poor thing was gassy! She’s going to kill me some day for saying that. Well honey, mommy is, too. Thanks, c-section!

The other day I took some pictures of Annie to mark one month old. I got the cute blocks idea from my friend Nanette. I can’t believe she’s already a month old! I guess I can’t blame my gas on the c-section anymore. Shoot.

She has changed so much since the first few days we brought her home:

Annabel, four days old

Annabel, one month old

She is so much more alert:

She eats like a champ (look at that chub!). We’re constantly laughing at her funny faces.

I can’t wait to see what she’ll be like as she gets older and can actually do stuff!

The purple doll is called Maddie’s Monster, it’s made by a company called CurlyQ Cuties. Profits from the sale of Maddie’s Monster are donated to the March of Dimes in Maddie’s memory. The pink doll is Annie’s Monster. I had it made so it would look like Maddie’s Monster, but have its own unique qualities. Just like my little Annie.

Well, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again (I’m sure you aren’t tired of hearing it), that is one gorgeous little girl! And MAN, does she look like her daddy!
.-= Expat Mom´s last blog ..Just Another Day =-.

She’s so beautiful. I haven’t commented in a while, but I couldn’t not comment today after seeing these pics. She’s the spitting image of her dad, and of course beautiful like her big sister.
I feel your pain having a “windy” baby. My little boy, just a couple of months older than Annie is the same. But he’s also bringing me much joy, just as Annie is to you as he’s also a baby born after our first child died.
Hope you’re recovering well, Mama.
xo

Krissa says:

I LOVE the monsters! You and Mike did an awesome job designing them! Great photos and I am so glad Annabel’s feeling better. I’m glad too that you got so much love and positive feedback after yesterday’s post. Can’t wait to see the next pics of pretty little Annie.

Jenn says:

She is so cute! I love the last picture! Even though it looks like she is falling over, she has the BEST grin on her face. I bet she is going to be as HAPPY as Maddie was and of course already is just a stunningly beautiful!

I’m also glad you received a lot of love & support when you needed it the most!!! I find sometimes the most smallest of gestures are the ones that take your breath away and touch your heart the most. I’m glad some people touched your heart yesterday. I hope you feel a lot better.

Laura says:

Love, love, love the Annie monster- what a thoughtful Mommy to make one for Annie too, and for it to be all hers, but yet have a connection to her big sister!!!! Just precious and perfect and so fitting!!

I am sooooooooo stealing that adorable block idea!!! Adorable!

Oh, and seriously, those amazing blue eyes? WOW! You make the most stunning little baby girls!!! This is random, but doesn’t Mike have brown eyes? Your genes must be pretty strong, Mama Spohr, because both of your daughters definitely got your beautiful baby blues!!!

I am so glad that you are having a better day today. I am also so proud of you for writing and opening up when you do have those bad days. I imagine that it might be hard to do so sometimes, and that it would be easier just to pretend everything is fine. IMO, it is the more courageous thing to do to ask for support. You are doing precious Annabel such a gift by reaching out to those around you when you need to, because she needs you to take care of her mommy!

I am so in awe of both you and Mike. Maybe you didn’t intend to be, but you are both now role models of what grace and strength and amazing parents look like.! I can’t think of a better way to honor your angel Maddie than to make such a difference in your work with the MoD and FoM, and to give Miss Annie the same life full of joy and love and laughter that her big sister was lucky enough to experience. I hope for my kids’ sake that I am half the mommy you are!

Your family will always be in my prayers! Lots of love to all of you!!

She is so beautiful! And I love her with those monsters. . .in hindsight, those blocks would have been a great way to keep track of my kids’ ages—-when my kids ask how old they are in photos, I have to guess!
.-= Fairly Odd Mother´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: The Art Show =-.

Just as you said the monsters are the same but different so are Maddie and Annie. She looksa lot like her sister but I’m sure is acting just like her own little person. She is growing so well! She is a beauty for sure! Love the Monsters and blocks…I may be forced to steal the idea!
.-= charlane´s last blog ..Coloring with Cole =-.

As usual, she looks gorgeous!! She is such a pretty little girl, you guys make pretty babies!

I didn’t comment yesterday, so i’ll say it today.. You deserve, just as much as everyone else, to be happy & sane.
We do not mind if you need to rant, rave, curse or cry. We are your virtual shoulders to cry on. Never for a moment feel bad about needing to cry out loud. Never feel bad if you need to cry and someone is having a happy fantastic day. Your friends and family and Annabel want you to be OK!!. Let them help you, let everyone help you – never feel bad about it. It is perfectly fine and normal to cry and be sad for as long as you need to, whenever you need to.
.-= Jess´s last blog ..Rain, Sun, Hot, Cold. =-.

Nancy Lee says:

She is has got to be one of the prettiest babies ever…well next to Maddie! Yeah she does look like her daddy too esp. with that dark skin. I know you can’t help but eat her up! Are you going to do the block idea every month, so cute! I read your blog every morning when I get up, well except for Sat/Sun!!!! Ha! It is so refreshing now that there is another little one to hear about and just watching her grow! Enjoy every moment with your precious angel even when she is a little gassy! It happens to most!
Prayers are with you always and I heart your blog!
Nancy Lee:)

You are such an inspiration to so many of us Heather! When I’m having a tough day, I turn to your site to see what you’re going through at that time. You said a long while ago that Maddie loved Abbey from Sesame Street. My son isn’t a big SS fan; however, we did watch it yesterday and saw Abbey! I couldn’t help but think about how excited Maddie would have been to see her. I’m sure she’s got her own Abbey in heaven. May God continue to shine down on you and your family. Annabel is a doll and I know that her big sister is proud!
.-= Lindsey in the STL´s last blog ..We’ve made it! =-.

Katie C. says:

Annie is beautiful – has the same mischievous little grin as her big sister Maddie. You have TWO beautiful children – one just happens to have angel wings. And you are a terrific mama!!!! Here’s to hoping Annie and your gas goes away!

Erica says:

Dear Heather,
You have been in my thoughts since yesterday’s post and I am so delighted to read that Miss Annie is doing much better today. That’s great news. I hope Mummy is doing much better too. All Mums know only too well how tough the first weeks with a newborn can be too and you have so much more to contend with than most. You are doing such a great job, Heather, and you continue to be such an inspiration for so so many people all over the world. You are a wonderful Mama and your two girls are so unique and special – and o so very loved by so many people all over the world. Today’s special photos of Miss Annie on her one month birthday are adorable, you are such a talented photographer. I love the Maddie’s Monster and Annie’s Monster, what a special Mummy to always be thinking of both her girls.
Sending you another hug from afar for today and thinking of you always.
With love
Erica

rachel cortest says:

Annie is incredibly gorgeous. I will order a Maddie Monster for my granddaughters. it is so fun to wake up and know that i will get to see a picture of Annie and then I can look at pictures of Maddie also. Hugs, Rachel

Mary says:

I can’t believe Annie is one month old already. I love the Annie’s Monster. Maya has a Maddie’s Monster and just loves hers. For Annie the monsters will mean and represent so much more so I can only imagine how much she’ll love them.

Michele says:

Heather, LOVE the Annie block pics. My fav is the one where both Maddie’s Monster and Annie’s Monster is with her. Look carefully at this one…Annie is leaning towards her big sissy’s!! I personally think Maddie is telling her some sort of secret already! God loves you all! One day at a time, keep holding your heart and she will help mend yours. Hugs!

Beautiful! Glad you are all doing well. I remember Mylicon being a life saver when my little girl (almost 8 yrs old now) was an infant. Blessings to you and your family!
.-= Nolita Morgan´s last blog ..Extreme Pride =-.

Michelle says:

I rarely comment but for some reason your post today had me in tears. Annie is so breathtakingly gorgeous, just like Maddie. My hubby thinks I’m totally nuts for reading your blog, but I’m just drawn to it. I’m another LA Mommy who just turned 30 (yikes) and I am just so heartbroken for you. I can’t get over how amazing your Madeline is. Hands down the most expressive baby ever, and just beautiful. Annie is so lucky to have you two as her parents.

Lisa says:

So glad the gas is getting better. Seth was gassy like that too. What are her poops like? Are they frothy and green? If so, you might have a hindmilk/foremilk imbalance that is making her gassy. Email me and we can chat about it.
She is getting so big, love that Annie girl. I can’t wait until June to see you guys!!!!

Oh my gosh, one month ALREADY? I love the idea of doing milestone pictures with the blocks and the stuffed animal. I may need to order a Maddie’s Monster before my little monster arrives.
.-= Smoochagator´s last blog ..Emily the Blogger =-.

Rebecca says:

Just a tip for gassy babies: Excersize ball!! Bounce on one while you hold Annie, and it should calm her and help the gas. Just something I learned as a nanny! (also it will work your abs at the same time!)
Also, I love your blog. Your strength and love for family, as well as your passion, inspires me every day. Thank you.

We pryaed a lot for you this week, we do pray for you often but this week we made sure the kids prayed with us. Sending you strenght!

Myclon was my 2nd bbaies best friend until he was 8 months … that and Axid he had acid reflux something horrible! Glad she is feeling better – hope it continues!
.-= MBKimmy´s last blog ..Germ Killer =-.

You have a gorgeous girl! Our little one struggled with tummy issues a bit too. To ‘cure’ the hiccups we found a weird fix…a bit (a couple of drops) of pickle juice. Something about the acidity. It has worked the trick everytime.
.-= Kara´s last blog ..Month 6 =-.

She.Is.SOOOO.CUTE! I am a lot like you, when I’ve got something heavy on my heart or in my head, writing it down and letting it all out there tends to ease the pain. I absolutely love your blog and can’t wait to check in to see what is going on. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Annie is so very lucky to have such caring parents and she is so lucky to have you two to help her grow up with memories of Maddie, even though they never met, they will always be sisters.
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Snow… =-.

Shannon Kieta says:

Glenda says:

Annabel is GORGEOUS… the last picture she resembles her BEAUTIFUL BIG SIS Maddie… I’m so happy you’re feeling better… less gas lol…and Annie is less gassy too…she’s growing up so fast… lil chunker… love, love the monsters… here’s hoping today is a good day for you and Annie (& Mike too) XX

Tara says:

That block idea is so cool! My daughter was born towards the end of February so my mom had bought her this huge stuffed bunny she had found at a store that was crazy early displaying their Easter stuff. We took monthly pictures of her next to it for her first year. She just turned two and we took pictures of her posing next to it. Once you have so many, it really is fun to look back at them all. My son, who will be four in May, has a yearly picture taken with him wearing the shirt my husband was wearing the day my son was born.

Another Momma says:

You are an incredible woman. I have an older boy, not sure how I even got involved with your blog, but I was so happy when Annabel was born, and maybe I can imagine what it is like to feel such joy when your heart feels torn beyond repair. AS much as one can be proud of people she doesn’t know, I am of you and your family.

OH my gosh I can’t believe it’s been a month already! Why do babies have to grow up so fast? She will be crawling around and pulling stuff down before you know it. SHe is soo cute just like her sister. =-) xoxoxoxo
.-= Jodee´s last blog ..Pray for Layla Grace =-.

Marti from Michigan says:

This is an OLD article, but when I worked in the radiology office, from 2002 through 2005, this was the advice they would give to parents after putting their poor baby through drinking barium from a bottle and putting them through an Upper GI x-ray. I’ve tasted barium before, yuck!

You worked in radiology? What do you think about a 2 year old getting an MRI….A 2 year old that has a metal rod in his tibia and a metal rod in his fibula? I’ve been told by a few different people that it’s okay but I’m confused…magnet attracted to metal. They want to MRI his head. I’m worried sick.
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..My Family =-.

Rebecca, my friend Jackie has a metal plate in her skull. She has to get MRIs on her brain every few months and I asked her this exact question. She told me that they use a special kind of metal that isn’t magnetized. Like, when she goes through airport security, the alarm won’t go off. She said it’s very safe for MRIs – she’s had a ton since her plate was put in. I hope that gives you a little peace of mind!

Molly says:

I’ve been reading your blog since before last April, but have never commented. I just want to say that while it may not seem so to you in your day to day routine, to readers like me, you live your life with so much grace and goodness. I read your blog hoping that someday I will have a fraction of the strength and love that are so obvious in you. My own mother was extremely abusive (I don’t talk to either of my parents any more) and I worry about having kids of my own with no good example to follow. I feel like even though I am a bit younger than you and our lives are very different, I’m so drawn to your blog because you make parenting even in its darkest moments look worthwhile, joyful, possible. You are a model of the patience and love I want to have as a mother. Every time I read your blog, even the pain of losing your awesome daughter Maddie, I feel a little more whole. Thank you.

Raegan says:

There is a colic product that saved my sanity that I can recommend if you are interested. It comes from a natural health pharmacy here in South Louisiana and is their #1 selling formulary. My child’s pediatrician recommended it when Mylicon and Gripe water totally quit working for us. If you would like to ask your pediatrician about it I can send you the ingredients. It does not need a script and they will mail it to you. You give 1/2 tsp 15 mins before she eats. Let me know if you are interested. PS – I don’t work for these people who have this pharmacy or really know them for that matter. I just know their product worked literally the first time we used it and ever since.

I love the block photos. Especially the last one. Looks like she’s saying, “Ahhh, what’s over there mom and dad?!” That’s so wonderful of “CurlyQ Cuties” to donate the profits of, “Maddie’s Monster” to the March of Dimes. It’s great to see so many people still honoring the “Famous Madeline.”

I also love, "Annie's Monster" and am glad that you made it her own. Too sweet. ^o^